“This app can’t run on your PC” is an error notification which generally occurs when the Windows OS fails to launch a particular application. However, some users claim that whenever they attempt to run the freshly installed application, they get stuck with such an error message. So, you will get this error message in two different circumstances. But, there are multiple explanations associated with why this error notification pops up on the screen, and this post is meant to fix all the issues associated with this particular error message.
The first and foremost reason behind such a behavior is the mismatch between the application and the Operating System. Specifically, the application you are attempting to install is not completely compatible with the specific version of Windows OS you are using. Besides, Windows can display this error message when a specific program needs some special permission to run that you don’t have. No matter what might cause this error, once you receive such kind of error message, resolving this quite challenging for you. So, without wasting any more time, let’s move on to the solution part.
“This App can’t Run on your PC Windows 10”: Easy Tips & Tricks to Troubleshoot
Here, in this section of the article, we will be going to provide you some of the easy tips and tricks which can terminate the “This app can’t run on your PC” error message from your Windows 10 device. So, let’s take a brief look at the solutions and implement them in the same order as we have mentioned:
Trick 1: Create a New Administrator Account
If this error triggered by an issue with your user account, then creating a new administrator account might resolve this matter. If you do not have any idea with the steps, then you can go through the undermentioned section.
Step 1: At the beginning of the steps, go to the Settings and navigate to the Accounts section. Here, you need to locate and select the Family And Other Users. Now, go to the Other User section and tap on the Add Someone Else To This PC.
Step 2: Thereafter, locate and select “I Don’t Have This Person’s Sign-in Information.” Now, you require to Add a user without Microsoft Account. Here, you need to enter the Username and Password for the new account.
Step 3: Now, select the new administrator account and tap on the “Change Account Type” option. Next, go to the Account Type Menu and choose the Administrator. Lastly, hit the OK button.
In this way, you can easily create a new administrator account. Now, reboot your device and sign in with this newly created account to check whether the error message removed or not. In case, you still get stuck with “This app can’t run on your PC” in your Windows 10 device, then proceed to the next trick.
Trick 2: Disable SmartScreen Feature
SmartScreen is a built-in feature which comes up with Windows 10 that launched to protect your device from malware and phishing attack. But, Microsoft noted that SmartScreen is responsible for “This app can’t run on your PC” error as it will restrict the particular app. Thus, you require to disable it. To do this, you need to carry out the steps below:
Step 1: In the first step, Press and hold the Windows Home key +S key simultaneously on your keyboard. This process will invoke the Run dialog box. Once the Run Dialog Box opens, write “Smart Screen” and hit the Enter button or click on the OK button. Now, Select the Smart Screen from the top result list and navigate to the Security section.
Step 2: Now, in the Security section, locate the WindowsSmart Screen. Once you locate it, simply right click on it and tap on Change Settings. Now, choose “Do Not Do Anything” option. Lastly, hit the Apply button as well as the OK button to save the new changes.
Trick 3: Enable the App Side-Loading
Enabling the app side-loading is another effective way to eliminate “This app can’t run on your PC.” So, it is recommended you to enable the add side-loading. But, if you do not aware of the proper steps, then you can carry out the steps below:
- At first, you have to click on the Start menu.
- Then, navigate to the Settings section.
- Now, in the Settings, tap on the Update And Security option.
- Next, choose For Developers which is present on the left pane of the window.
- Here, you require to go to the Use Developer Features section, find the “Developer Mode” option. Once you locate this option, simply hit that button in order to enable it.
- Now, exit the Settings app.
After enabling the Developer mode, app side-loading will automatically be enabled. That being the fact, reboot your device and check if “This app can’t run on your PC Windows 10” error message gets removed from your Windows-based device. In case, you still encounter the same error message on your display screen, then try out the next trick.
Trick 4: Disable Proxy or VPN
At a certain point, your VPN or Proxy can block your connection to Windows Store. There, it is suggested you disable the Proxy or VPN:
Steps to Disable Proxy:
- Primarily, you need to tap on the Start icon and go to the Control Panel.
- Now, tap on Internet Options and navigate to the Connections.
- Next, find the LAN Settings and once you locate the LAN Settings, unmark the “Use A Proxy Server For Your LAN” option.
- Now, confirm your changes by hitting the Apply button as well as the OK button.
After disabling the Proxy, you need to disable the VPN.
Steps to Disable VPN:
- At first. Click on the Start menu and navigate to the Control Panel.
- Then, you need to click on the Network And Sharing Center.
- Now, find and select the “Change Adapter Settings and tap on the link.
- Here, you require to find the VPN Connections. Once you locate it, right click on it and hit the Remove/Delete button.
Now, re-log into your account and try to install the pending Windows updates. If you still find the same error notification, then proceed to the next trick.
Trick 5: Scan your Windows-based Device for Malicious Components
After following the above tricks, if “This app can’t run on your PC” error notification still appears on your Windows-based device, then you might need to conduct a complete anti-malware scan as there is a high chance your device is infected by malware or malicious components, especially, if you find any malware infection-related symptoms.
In such situations, you can use the Windows in-built anti-malware tool Windows Defender to scan your device.
Step 1: Primarily, tap on the Windows logo icon and go to the Settings app. Here, you need to choose the Update And Security option. Now, locate the Windows Defender. Once you find it, right click on it to open the experience.
Step 2: Here, in the Windows Defender Security window, find the shield icon which might present in the left pane. After finding this icon, tap on it. Next, navigate to Advanced Scan and choose the Scan button from the menu.
Once you perform the above action, Windows Defender will start scanning your PC to locate the internal bugs and glitches. Here, if it finds any suspicious component, it will remove them shortly. In this way, you can protect your PC from the malicious components.
Moreover, if you have any reliable third-party security software installed on your PC, then you can scan your PC by using that software.
Trick 6: Clear the Cache and Cookies in your Browser
Your browser’s cache and cookies can be another reason for getting “This app can’t run on your PC” error message since the cache and cookies might get corrupted. Thus, it is suggested you perform a browser cleanup. And you can do this by applying the under mentioned steps:
Microsoft Edge:
At first, launch your Microsoft Edge browser. Then, tap on the Star icon which is present on the top right corner. Now, hit the Clock icon. After that, you will get the following options:
- Cookies and saved website data;
- Browsing history;
- Browsing history;
Lastly, press the Clear button and once it is done, close your browser.
Chrome:
Primarily, you have to start the Chrome browser and go to its bar. Now, into the bar, write chrome://settings/clearBrowserData. Next, go to the ‘Clear browsing data’ window, and configure your browser in order to remove the following data:
- Download history;
- Browsing history;
- Cached images and files;
- Cookies and other site data.
Now, you need to choose All time as Time Range. Then, hit the Clear button and when the process is over, exit the browser.
Firefox:
Firstly, opens Firefox and navigate to the History Menu. Now, hit the Clear Recent History option. Here, you need to go to the ‘Time range to clear’ section and choose Everything. Now, navigate to the Details and scroll down to choose all items and hit the Clear Now button. Once the process is completed, close your browser.
Trick 7: Update Windows Store
If you still encounter the same issue, then Windows Store might be experiencing glitches. At this point, you require to update the Windows store. To do so, follow the below-highlighted steps:
- Firstly, navigate to the Start menu and launch the Windows Store.
- Now, click on the three horizontally aligned dots.
- Next, tap on the Downloads and updates.
- Finally, hit the Get Updates button.
After installing the updated version of Windows Store, reboot your device to check if the error message gets terminated from your Windows 10 PC.
Trick 8: Reinstall the Problematic Application
If nothing works, then you can reinstall the problematic application as this is the last trick. We hope, after reinstalling, the issue gets removed. To reinstall the problematic application, go through the section below:
Step 1: At first, click on the Start menu and then go to the Settings. Here, on the Settings, choose the option System. Now, you require to click on the Apps And Features button that is present on the left pane.
Step 2: Thereafter, you have to select that problematic application you want to reinstall. Now, hit the Uninstall button to proceed further. Here, you might be asked to confirm the process, just confirm the process by tapping the OK button.
Once the application removes from your device, simply follow the further on-screen guidelines in order to reinstall it again.
To Round it Off:
After reading this entire article, you would be able to gather all the information you needed to combat the stress factor you often receive in the form of “This app can’t run on your PC” error notification. But, if you have additional queries regarding this issue, then you can share your with us by commenting in the feedback section below. Moreover, you always have the option to look up to the help provided by a professional.
